PODCAST (23:37) -- I hope we made a new friend today, because Patti Strand, president of the National Animal Interest Alliance, was certainly educational and well-spoken on a wide range of companion animal and shelter issues.

We had never met previously and I'd also never heard of NAIA before. They are a group with a much different perspective from the big animal welfare organizations.

Here is her bio:

"Patti is a recognized expert and consultant on contemporary animal issues, most notably responsible dog ownership and the animal rights movement.

"She often appears on radio and television and her articles on canine issues, animal welfare, public policy, and animal rights have appeared in major US news publications and in trade, professional and scientific journals.

"Patti and her husband Rod co-authored The Hijacking of the Humane Movement: Animal Extremism in 1993, the first US book exposing the extremism of the animal rights movement.

"Patti has been a Dalmatian breeder and enthusiast since 1969, is an approved AKC judge and was a member of the AKC Board of Directors from 1995 through 2011. She holds a degree in political science from Portland State University."  

I am still processing some of the issues we talked about. Just having a conversation with a longtime American Kennel Club board member was very enlightening. Listen to the podcast and tell me what you think. It was just a little mind-bending.